If you are going to work in the shipping sector or have a general interest in sailing the seas then you might want to know what different types of ships there are. You may come across a wide range of different vessels and it’s useful to be able to identify them when you are out at sea. It is also important to note that safety regulations vary a lot depending on what type of ship you are operating. Each type of vessel has its own strict regulations that must be followed.
Working on each type of ship can also be completely different, so it’s definitely worth doing your research before you apply for a job. For example, working on a fishing vessel is a completely different experience to a cargo ship.
Marine industry experts and experienced sailors will have a good idea of the different types of ship. If you are new to the industry then here are some of the main types of international ships that you will probably come across on your travels.
1. Cargo Ships
Cargo ships are generally used to transport cargo safely from one place to another. They will have a ship with a multi-deck or single-deck hull. There are thousands of cargo ships on the move around the world, transporting good across the globe. They are crucial to international trade. Cargo ships can transport things such as food, petroleum, furniture, metals, clothes and machinery.
2. RoRo (Roll on Roll Off)
Most vehicles that are being transported over water internationally are done on a Roll on Roll off ship. The reason this ship is so popular to transport vehicles is that it’s safer and much faster to just drive a car onto the ship than using a crane. Once the cars are aboard, they are braced to the ship’s deck to keep them from moving around while the ship is at sea.
3. Tankers
Tankers are ships that primarily carry huge quantities of liquid. They can carry a wide range of liquids such as oil, water, wine and lots of different chemicals that need transporting. They come in lots of different sizes but some of the larger vessels have the capacity to carry several hundred thousand tons.
4. Passenger Ships
Passenger ships are officially defined as ships that carry more than 12 passengers. If you own a passenger ship then you will need to abide by strict safety regulations. There have been several disasters with passenger ships lately so the rules and regulations have been updated in a bid to try and improve safety. Passengers should be able to travel in a safe and comfortable environment. Passenger ships also include cruise and holiday ships.
5. Fishing Vessel
Fishing vessels are boats and ships designed to catch fish and marine wildlife. They are used for leisure purposes but also for commercial fishing. There are millions of fishing vessels being used to catch fish around the world. If you are considering working on a fishing vessel then it is important to know that they are very dangerous. According to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) there are around 24,000 deaths on fishing vessels each year. All ships engaged in international voyages must install an ECDIS. Electronic chart display and information systems can help fisherman avoid bad weather and navigate through international seas.
6. High Speed Craft
High speed crafts are also sometimes called ‘fast ferries’. They are mainly designed for civilian use as passenger ferries. They also include hovercrafts, catamarans and hydrofoil boats. High speed crafts are able to go faster because they use air pressure and powerful turbine propellers.
